Judge fines himself for smartphone use

A Michigan judge whose smartphone disrupted a hearing in his own court has
held himself in contempt and paid $25 for the infraction.

Family court needs better securityPhoto: ALAMY

By Matt Warman and agencies

2:43PM BST 15 Apr 2013

Judge Raymond Voet has a posted policy at Ionia County 64A District Court stating that electronic devices causing a disturbance during court sessions will result in the owner being cited with contempt.

On Friday afternoon, amid a prosecutor's closing argument during a jury trial, Voet's new smartphone began to ask for voice commands, however. An embarrassed Voet says he thinks he tapped the phone accidentally, but nonetheless during a break in the trial, he fined himself. Voet says if he can't live by the rules he enforces he has no business enforcing the rules.

In the UK, however, laws are rather different. Tweets and text messages can be sent from courtrooms after the country's most senior judge approved the use of digital communication technology.

Reporters, bloggers and members of the public are even able to sit in courts and surf the internet on their laptops for the first time – so long as they are quiet.

Lord Judge, the Lord Chief Justice, issued guidance allowing modern technology in the country's courts despite concerns that it could put some criminal trials at risk.